Means for maintaining the initial positioning of cooperating knitting machine parts



Jan. 2, 1945.

ZWICKY M. MEANS FOR MAINTAINING THE INITIAL POSITIONING OF COOPERATING KNITTING MACHINE PARTS Filed D90. 26, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l v INVENTOR: Melchior Zwicfi ATI'OR Y.

Jan. 2, 1945. M zwlckv: 2,366,221

MEANS FOR MAINTAINING THE INITIAL POSITIONING 0F COOPERATING KNITTING MACHINE PARTS V v I Flled Dec. 26, 1940 5 sheet sleet 2 53 .i 2% 22 Z7 J5 41-2 10 11 INVENTOR Melchior Zwicj' 7 Jan. 2, 1945. N M. ZWICKY 2,365,227

' MEANS FOR MAINTAINING THE INITIAL POSITIONING 0F COQPERATING' KNITTING MACHINE PARTS Filed Dec. 26, 1940 5 She'Q-Sheet 5 Fla--4.-

' INVENTORI MelchiarZwicfl BY Jan. 2, 1945.

. M. zwlcKY 2,366,227 MEANS FOR MAINTAINING THE INITIAL POSITIONING OF COOPERATING- KNITTING MACHINE PARTS Filed Dec 26, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fl. E- E. 1:72

. INVENTOR: MelekiorZwicl; B

ATTORN Patented Jan. 2, 1945 MEANS FOR MAINTAINING INITIAL THE POSITIONING OF COOPERATING KNIT- TING MACHINE PARTS Melchior Zwicky, Berkshire Heights, Pa., asslgnor to Textile Machine Works, Wyomissing, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania I Application December 26, 1940, Serial No. 371,624

20 Claims.

This invention relates to multi-section straight knitting machines, and more particularly to novel means for maintaining cooperating knitting mechanisms, or parts, in the exact positions relative to each other in which they were initially set, upon displacement of their respective supporting members relative to each other, as when contracted or expanded by variations in temperature, or upon distortion or other variations in the form of such members resulting as from warping or adjustment thereof.

The framework or base structure of multisection straight knitting machines, such for example as full-fashioned machines, is of a rigid character, and, generally comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending metallic rails, shafts, beams, beds, etc. The members of each group are respectively joined together in abutting endto-end relationship to effect a unitary arrangement which in many instances is approximately forty to fifty feet in length, the length depending upon the number of knitting sections embodied in the machine. These longitudinally extending members are generally constructed either of castiron or steel. The different knitting machine units which cooperate in the production of fabric and which are respectively supported by the longitudinally extending members are accurately-machined and are initially carefully set with respect to each other in order to function properly.

It has been found that, in the case of such multi-section knitting machines, slight changes in temperature appreciably affect the dimensional characteristics of the frame members, and this, in turn, adversely affects the operation of the cooperating machine units and parts by displacing them from the precise positions in which they were originally placed. Furthermore, in those instances where themoving parts in certain of the machine units create friction and become heated above room temperature, such action also raises the temperature of the supporting frame members which are accordingly elongated. Thus, where cooperating knitting elements are supported by different frame members which are not subjected to the same temperature variations, it follows that the expansion and elongation of such frame members will vary with respect to each other, and that the knitting elements supported thereby will be displaced relative' to each other. In such instances poor quality fabric is produced, and the cooperating knitting elements are frequently damaged.

Cooperating machine units are also supported port the needle bars.

by frame members composed of different metals. For example, the center beds on which the sinker heads are mounted are generally constructed of cast iron whereas steel shafts are used to sup- This increases the sensitivity of the-machine units to temperature vari ations because of the difference in the respective coeflicients of expansion and contraction of these metallic frame members.

In the modern 51-gauge 30-section fulll fashioned legger knitting machines, the sinkers and dividers are spaced only 0.0244 inch from each other, whereas the needles which are positioned in these spaces measure 0.0200 inch across their grooved portions. The clearance on each side of the needle is very minute, in this instance being 0.0022 inch. Since the over-all length of the knitting unit supporting portion of the longitudinally extending frame members is comparatively great (in the case of a 30section legger being approximately 46 feet), it will be appreciated that any slight change in the temperature of any of the frame members will appreciably displace the opposite ends thereof, whereas the cooperating knitting elements which are supported by different frame members, particularly those supported upon the ends of these frame members, will be noticeably displaced relative to each other. This relative displacement adversely affects the operation of the machine as well as the quality of the fabric produced thereon.

It is an object of my invention to provide means for avoiding the indicated and other similar difficulties.

It is another object of this invention to provide novel means for maintaining independently supported cooperating machine elements in their original positions relative to each other upon relative displacement of their respective supporting members.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for use with cooperating knitting machine elements which are initially accurately positioned relative to each other and which are supported by separate frame members, which will function to maintain the original positioning of said units relative to each other upon displacement of their respective supporting members.

A further object of my invention is to provide means in a knitting machine whereby the variations in length of those parts which are effected by temperature variations will not aflect the original setting of other parts of the knitting machine arranged to cooperate with each other.

A still further, object is to provide means for preventing the lengthening or shortening of one machine member from affecting the initial settin of the member which it su ports.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel needle bar compensating means which will maintain the initial setting of the needle bars relative to the cooperating sinker heads upon displacement of the respective support members relative to each other.

With these and other objects in view which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of my improvements disclosed in the accompanying drawings, my invention resides in .the novel elements', features of construction and arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a multi-section full fashioned knitting machine showing my'invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a, modification of my invention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a full fashioned knitting machine showing the present invention applied thereto;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of one of the knitting sections shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, beingenlarged relative thereto; v p i Fig. '7 is an enlarged elevatlonal view of a portion of Fig. 4. illustrating groups of cooperating loop forming elements;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially .along the line 8--8 of Fig. 4, being enlarged relative thereto;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig.4 of the modified form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is an end elevational view of Fig. 9, certain parts being broken away and shown in section; and

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line lI-ll of Fig. 10.

In the drawings and description, only the means necessary to a. complete understanding of l'ogpublished and copyrighted by the Textile Machine Works, in 1929, 1935 and 1940, respectively.

3. Booklet entitled-The Reading High- Production Full-Fashioned Knitting Machinewhich forms a supplement to'the above noted knitting machine embodying thepresent invention is generally constructed in well known man- 1940 Parts Catalog of the Textile Machine Works, v

and which booklet is a publication of the Textile Machine Works, and was copyrighted by the latter in 1940.

4. Pamphlet entitled-Knitting Machine-Lecturespublished by the Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, in 1935.

As illustrated in the drawings, a full fashioned ner, except as to parts hereinafter to be more particularly pointed ,out, and comprises end frames ill and center frames H, which are sup- [ported in an upright position and maintained in definite spaced relationship relative to each other by parallel frame or support members extending transversely thereto and longitudinally of the machine. These support members comprise a front rail I2, a back rail l3, a front bed I4 and a center bed l5 which with the frames I0 and II combinedly effect the frame structure of full fashioned knitting machines. This framework provides a support for different longitudinally extending cooperating shaft members, including a main cam shaft l6, a regulating shaft H, a presser shaft I8 and a needle bar shaft I9.

The cam shaft I6, Fig. 3, has mounted thereon a series of cams, only a needle bar cam 20 being shown, for controlling and operating the various knitting mechanisms, such as the narrowing heads 2|, see Figs. 1 and 2.

Sinker heads 22 are rigidly secured to and supported by the center bed l5 as are the jack beds 23, which include a series of jack elements 22 pivoted about a rod 25 and which-co-operate with sinkers 26 in the sinker head 22 to sink the yarn between adjacent pairs of needles during the couliering operation. Forward movement is imparted to the jacks 24 during couliering by reciprocating slur cocks or earns 21 carried by cock boxes 28, Fig. 3, in turn reciprocated longituditudinally of the machine and transversely to the Jacks 24 by a connecting bar 30 which is reciprocated in well known manner along a guide bar 29 by customary couliering mechanism, not shown. A verge plate 3| is employed in well known manner to limit the forward travel of the sinkers 26.

Associated with the sinkers 26 in the sinker head 22 to form loops are dividers 32 which are positioned between the sinkers in well known manner. The additional mechanism for operating the dividers and aiding in the further operation of the sinkers is not shown herein, being of a well known construction disclosed in the aforesaid catalogs.

Mounted in bearings 33, which extend from sinker head 22, is a knockover-bit bed 34 in which a series of 'knockoven-bits 35 are maintained in definite spaced relationship; the said knockoverbit bed 34 being operated in well known manner by a link 36, Fig. 4, and associated linkage (not shown).

A needle bar or bed 40 having a series of needles 4| secured thereto by clamps 42 and bolts 43, is provided for cooperating with the sinker head unit in the loop forming operation. Needle bars M are supported by brackets 44 which are pivotally mounted on studs 45 carried by needle bar lifting arms 46. The needle bar lifting arms 46, which are firmly secured to the turnable shaft 89 by set screws 53, are provided to raise and lower the needles during knitting; said movement being effected by cams 20 which cooperate with cam followers or rollers 41 journaled on studs or axles 48 carried by the needle bar levers 49. Cam followers 4'! are held in contact with the cams 20 by springs 50 extendingbetween the levers 49 and brackets 52, fastened to the back rail l3, see Fig. 3.

Needle bar brackets or forks 54 which are bolted to the underside of the needle bars 40 have hand levers 56 pivotally connected therewith which engage studs I51 carried by presser levers 58 mounted on the presser shaft ID. The presser levers 58 are operated in well known manner by customary cams (not shown) carried by the cam shaft It, to move the needle bars 40 and the needles 4| toward and from presser edges 60 during the up-.

ward and downward travel of the needle bars in the manner necessary to effect knitting. Presser rollers 59 carried by the presser levers 58, are

urged toward engagement with their respective 60' during the couliering operation to form loops of desired length.

Tests conducted on full fashioned knitting machines of the multi-section type reveal that the friction resulting upon movement of parts in the knitting mechanism supported by certain of the frame members, heats these frame members to such an extent as to increase the temperature thereof over that of other members which support cooperating knitting mechanisms in which there are no moving parts. Thus, in case of the center bed IS the operative movement of the various parts of the units supported thereon, such e. gas the rubbing of the slur cam 2'! against the jacks 24, the movement of the lacks in the jack beds, the reciprocatory movement of the sinkers and dividers in the sinker head, and the movement of the friction rod through the friction boxes (not shown) the rubbing of the slur cam boxes 28 on the guide bar 29, and the movement of the knockover-bit beds in their bearings extending from the sinker heads, creates sufficient friction to raise the temperature of the center bed I5 approximately 3 Fahrenheit above room temperature, and above the temperature of other support members such as the needle bar shaft l9 on which needle bars 40 are supported. In the modern fine gauge multi-section full fashioned knitting machines, e. g. in 51-gauge 30-section leggers which are now in popular use and in which the clearance between the needles and the adjacent sinkers and dividers'is only 0.0022 inch on a side, although the cooperating needle bars and sinker heads are originally carefully adjusted with respect to each other so that the needles are positioned centrally of the sinkers and dividers in the manner necessary to produce perfect fabric, nevertheless, the rise in the temperature of the center bed on'which the sinker heads are supported, above that of the needle bar shaft on which the needle bars are supported, causes the gate approximately 0.0092 inch, 1. e. 0.0046 inch center beds to elongate to such an extent that the over-all elongation of the sinker head carrying portion of the center beddisplaces the end sinker heads relative to the needle bars. Asa result of such displacement the sinkers and divider move against the sides of the needles thereby interfering with their operation, whereupon, the cooperating loop forming elements become damaged, and the quality of the fabric produced is lowered. t

In the case of 5l-gauge 30-section leggers, it has been found that a 3 Fahrenheit rise in the temperature of the cast iron center bed over that of the steel needle bar shaft, which is considered to be an average condition after a machine has been in operation for an hour, causes the sinker head carrying portion of the center bed to elonat each end thereof. Consequently, since the thickest portion of the needles normally clear the adjacent sinkers and dividers by only 0.0022 inch on a side, whereas the sinkers and dividers in the end knitting sections are actually displaced 0.0046 inch relative to the needles, the damage to the fabric and, to thecooperating needl s, sinkers, dividers, etc., resulting from such differences in temperaturewill be readily apparent.

To eliminate the aforesaid condition, and to prevent the expansion or contraction of one frame member relative to a cooperating fram member from affecting the accurate setting of cooperating knitting elements respectively carried by said members, the present invention provides means for maintaining parts in predetermined positions relative to each other upon displacement of one support member relative to the other.

Instead of constructing the needle bar supporting structure to maintain the bar 40 and the brackets 44 in fixed axial position with respect to the lifting arms 46, which has heretofore been a standard practice, the presentinvention provides means whereby the needle bar and associated brackets are fioatingly mounted, on the lifting arms 46 in such a manner as to permit axial movement of the needle bar relative to said lifting arms while maintaining the positions of the sinker heads and needle bars axially fixed relative to each other.

In the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8, the studs or hinge pins 45 which are fastened to the brackets 44 by set screws 10 are turnable in bearing portions of the lifting arms 46, and have plate or flange portions 121 formed at their inner ends. The flat faces of the flange portions 12 on the studs 45 are, arranged parallel to each othe and at right angles to the center bed 15. In the present arrangement, see Figs. 4, 6 and 8. clearance is provided between the needle bar lifting arms 46 and the brackets 44 so as to effect a floating arrangement which permits axial movement of the needle bar relative to its supporting members. A bracket 13, rigidly secured to the center bed l5 by screws or bolts 14, see Figs. 1, 4 and 8, has adjusting screws 15 threaded into opposite ends of said bracket where they are locked in desired position by lock nuts 16. The adjusting screws 15 are adapted to abut the face of flange portions 12 of studs 45 to maintain a fixed axial relation between the needle bar -40 and the s nker head 22 upon axial displacement of the center bed 15 relative to the needle bar shaft l9, and thereby under all conditions maintain the cooperating loop forming elements in definite spaced positions relative to each other as shown in Fig. '7.

The screws 15 are adjusted during the erection of the machine with respect to the flange portions 12 of studs 45 to permit movement of the needle bar 40 toward and from the sinker head 22 in the customary manner during knitting, but so that there can be no axial or endwise movement of these knitting units relative to each other. size to remain in engagement with the screws 15 during all operative movements of the needle bar .40, as well as when the needle bar 40 is placed out of operative position upon manipulation of the lever 56, as is frequently necessary in order to make repairs, or when any particular knitting section is to be kept idle.

In the modification of the invention illustrated The flange portions 12 are 'of sufficient in this embodiment of the invention, the studs I45 are of the customary type, being without flange portions. To maintain the needle bar I40 in accurate predetermined position with respect to the sinker head I22 to maintain correct equal spacing between the needles I and sinkers I26 and dividers I32, special wear plate members 82 are provided which are secured to opposite ends of the needle bar I40 by screws 83 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. Coacting with the plate members 82 are adjusting screws 8| which are threaded into arms 84 andlocked thereto in adjusted position by lock nuts 85. The arms 88 are shown as being secured tothe sinker head- I22 by screws 86 which are also utilized to secure the cap portions 81 of the knockover-bit bed bearings to th sinker head.

This arrangement functions to maintain the needle bar I40 in predetermined position with respect to the sinker head I22 upon displacement of the center bed H relative to th needle bar supporting shaft, and thereby maintains the correct spacing between the needles III and cooperating sinkers and dividers, and isolates them from the adverse effects transmitted thereto in prior art devices whenever one of the support members becomes displaced relative to the other as a result of variations in their respective tem peratures. The plates 82, as in the case of the flanges I2 of the previous arrangement, are of suflicient size to remain engaged by the screws as during all operative movements of the needle bar I40, whereas, a beveled portion 89 is provided on the plate 82 for guiding the needle bar I40 into proper position as the needle bar is moved from its laid-out to its operative position.

It will be understood that, in the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1 and Figs. 3 through 8, the flanges I2 act as wear members.

The invention has been described in connection with members which become heated by friction arising from movable parts supported therein. However, heat from motors or other operating members may ,also be responsible for the heating of a member adjacent thereto without affecting the temperature of other members. Furthermore, the fact that cooperating knitting. or other mechanical units and mechanisms may be supported by members composed of different materials having different coemcients of expansion, may also produce similar situations even though subjected to the same temperature variations. The warping of the parts which occurs after their installation, and other form variations which occur, as upon tightening or readjusting of such parts, also displaces cooperating machine members relative to each other in sufii cient degree to adversely affect the operation thereof. The present invention functions to compensate for adverse conditions arising from any of these or other causes.

Unless otherwise indicated, corresponding parts of the mechanism herein illustrated in different views are identified by similar reference characters.

Of course, the improvements specifically shown and described by which I obtain the above results can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the invention herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a full fashioned knitting machine tbe combination comprising a, center bed, a sinker head rigidly fastened to said center bed, a needle bar operating shaft, a needle bar supported by said shaft, and means carried by said sinker head and coacting with said needle bar for maintaining the original relationship. between said sinker head and needle bar during displacement of said center bed relative to said needle bar supporting shaft. 2. In a full fashioned knitting machine, the

1 combination comprising a center bed, a sinker head rigidly. secured to said center bed, a needle bar shaft, a needle bar pivotally mounted on said shaft and adapted to coact with said sinker head -to produce knitted fabric, said center bed being subjected to temperature changes which cause 4 it to elongate relative to said needle bar shaft,

and means for maintaining said sinker head and 3 needle bar in predetermined positions relative to each other during movement of said center bed relative to said needle bar shaft.

3. In a full fashioned knitting machine, the combination comprising a center bed, a sinker head rigidly secured to said center bed, a needle bar shaft, a needle bar supported by said shaft and being accurately positioned relative to said sinker head to permit operative cooperation therewith, said center bed elongating relative to said needle bar shaft upon rise in temperature of said center bed, and means carried by said center bar shaft, a needle bar supported from said shaft and being accurately positioned relative to said sinker head to permit operative cooperation therewith, said center bed elongating relative to said needle bar shaft upon rise in temperature of said center bed, and means carried by said sinker head and coacting with said needle bar for maintaining said needle bar is predetermined position relative to said sinker head during movement of the center bed relative to said needle bar shaft.

5. In a full fashioned knitting machine, the combination comprising framework of elongated metallic members including a center bed and a needle bar shaft, a sinker head unit supported by said center bed including sinkers and dividers, a needle bar supported. by said shaft having needles arranged to cooperate with the reciprocating elements in said sinker head to produce knitted loops, a jack bed supported on said center bed having a series of thin pivotally mounted jacks cooperating with said sinkers, a slur cam reciprocating transversely to the direction of movement of said jacks for actuating the latter and thereby impart movementto said sinkers, the friction resulting upon the movement of said jacks, sinkers and dividers raising the temperature of said elements and also of the center bed on which they are mounted thereby causing said bed to elongate relative to the needle bar shaft, and means for maintaining said center bed in predetermined alignment with said needle bar during said elongation.

6. In a multi-section full fashioned knitting sinker head and a jack bed supported on said center bed, a metallic needle bar shaft, a needle bar supported on said shaft and adapted to cooperate with said sinker head to produce knitted fabric, of compensating means for maintaining the originally set relationship between said sinker head and said needle bar during displacement of said center bed relative to said needle bar shaft.

7. A multi-section full fashioned knitting machine comprising a frame structure including a cast iron center bed and a steel needle bar shaft, cooperating knitting parts respectively carried by said frame members, and compensating means for maintaining said knitting parts in operative positions with respect to each other during changes in the dimensional characteristics of said frame members resulting from variations in temperature.

8. In a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a sinker bed, aneedle bar adapted for operation relative to said sinker bed during knitting operations, and means rigidly supported by said sinker bed for maintaining said needle bar in proper alignment with said sinker bed during needle bar knitting operations.

9. In a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising with a frame, a needle bar and knitting elements adapted to cooperate with the needles in said bar, all supported from said frame, of means for maintaining the desired position of said needles relative to said elements in use including a member which is rigidly connected to a portion of said .frame and which makes a sliding contact in a plane transverse to said bar with a wear surface moving with the needle bar during knitting for controlling the longitudinal position of the needle bar relative to the frame.

10. In a straight knitting machine, the combination with a frame, a needle bar and knitting elements adapted to cooperate with said bar and all supported on said frame, of means for maintaining the desired position of said needle bar relative to said elements in use comprising a member rigidly connected to a portion of said frame and a member rigidly connected to said needle bar and having sliding contact withsaid first rigidly connected member in a plane transverse to said bar for controlling the longitudinal position of the needle bar relative to the frame.

11. In a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a sinker bed, a needle bar adapted for operation relative to said sinker bedduring knitting operations, and means including parts rigidly supported by said sinker bed as well as a wear plate fixed to said needle bar for maintaining said needle bar in proper alignment with said sinker bed during needl bar knitting operations.

12. In a straight,knitting machine having a plurality of knitting sections, each section adapted to knit a separate blank and having a separate and stationary sinker bed, the improvement comprising a, separate needle bar for each knitting section of the machine, means for operating each needle bar, and means rigidly secured to each sinker bed and adapted to guide the respective needle bar during the operation thereof to maintainthe needle bar in proper alignment with the sinker bed.

13. In a straight knitting machine having a sinker bed carrying asplit bearing adjacent each end thereof, one part of ach of said bearings being removable and the other part being in tegral with the sinker bed, a knockover bit bed having pins Journalled in said split bearings,

the improvement comprising a needle bar oper-- atively positioned adjacent said sinker bed and having a length less than the distance between said split bearings, and means rigidly secured to each of said split bearings and positioned opposite each end of saldneedle bar to maintain said needle bar in alignment with said sinker bed during knitting operations.

14. In a straight knitting machin having a sinker .bed with an integral portion adjacent each ,end thereof, the improvement comprising'a bracket-like member associated with each of said sinker bed portions, threaded elements ri idly securing each of said bracket-like members to the-respective sinker bed portion, a set screw mounted in each of said brackets and having a head, the two heads of said screws facing each other, and a needle bar positioned between said screw heads and adapted to be guided thereby during knitting operations, whereby the needle bar is maintained in alignment with said sinker bed.

' 15. In a flat knitting machine, a needle bar having needles therein, means for moving said bar through a knitting cycle comprising lifting arms, hinge pins connecting said arms with said bar and having large heads facing inward toward the center of said bar, a center bed, a sinker-head fixed to said bed and having sinkers therein for cooperating with said needles in making knitted fabric, and guide members rigid- 1 being removable and the other part being integral with the sinker bed, a knockover bit bed having pins journalled in said split bearings, the improvement comprising a needle bar operatively positioned adjacent said sinker bed and having a length less than the distance between said split bearings, means rigidly secured to each of said split bearings and positioned opposite each end of said needle bar to maintain said needle bar in alignment with said sinker bed during knitting operations, and wear plates on said needle bar for cooperating with said means.

17. In a straight knitting machine, the combination with a frame, a needle bar having needles thereon and sinkers adapted to cooperate with the needles on said bar in knitting and all supported on said frame, a pivotal support for said needle bar on which said bar has a free movement longitudinally of the bar, said bar and sinkers having a tendency to relative displacement in use du to thermal expansion in the machine, and means for maintaining said bar and sinker in proper relation in use comprising means providing surfaces rigid with said frame and at right angles to the pivotal axis of said bar arranged to control the longitudinal position of the needle bar to counteract said tendency to relative displacement with respect to said sinkers.

18. In a straight knitting machine, the combination with a frame, a needle bar having knitting needles thereon and a group of knitting elements adapted to cooperate with said needles in knitting fabric and all supported on said frame, means pivotally supporting said needl bar on which said bar has a free movement longitudinally of the bar, said elements subject to displacement in use from their position when the machine is out oi operation due to thermal expansion in the machine, and'means a the sinker-head and enacting with said needle for maintaining said bar and elements in proper relation in use comprising means providing suriacesin fixed relation to a portion 01' said frame and at right angles to the knitting movement 01 said needles arranged to control the longitudinal position .01 the bar in use.

19. In a straight knitting machine, the comhination comprising a sinker-head subject to displacement in operation due to thermal expansion in the machine, a needle bar adapted for operation relative to said sinker-head during knitting operations, and means including parts rigidly supported by the machine but subject to displacement in operation due to thermal expension in the machine to the same extent as bar in use for maintaining said needle bar in proper alignment with said sinker-head during needle bar knitting operations.

20. In a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a group oi sinkers adapted to reciprocate during knitting operations, a group of needles adapted to reciprocate and cooperate with said sinkers during said operations, supporting means for said sinkers subject to displacement in use due to thermaleexpansion in the machine, and means for maintaining said needles and sinkers in proper cooperative relatlon during knitting operations comprising portions rigid with the supporting means for said sinkers and eoacting with said needle bar in use MELCHIOR ZWICKY. 

